The Cat Man of Brant

[Woe]

Would this work?

They'll step into a clothier and before she can catch up, Bruce will start shopping for Freya. He'll stand near a dividing wall/changing room with some clothes to try on while Freya dodges out the back and sneaks around behind the tail. Bruce will need to play along, talking with and providing clothing for the non-existent elf.

[Longman]

Changing room? Heh heh!

No, that won't work. You can certainly go into a store - the best available on this street being a butcher - but what happens after that is unknown.

[Woe]

A butcher would be odd to step into, and wouldn't really fit the idea of "she's really in there" if the tail didn't have a reason to think so. What's on street #2? Maybe a church with a confessional?

[Longman]

There is no church nearby, but Bruce knows there is a Church of St Griselda the Elderly Virgin, several streets away. You could head there?

Otherwise the street you were on is kinda residential - the butchers on a corner was the main shop here.

[Woe]

"Thanks Bruce. That sounds like a better option." The pair will head to the church. If there's a confessional, Bruce will wait outside while Freya doesn't use the confessional (instead going out the side/back entrance and attempt to double around). If there isn't a confessional, Bruce will say his respects to whatever saint it is while Freya sneaks around. I imagine an elf praying at the temple of the one god would look odd.

This isn't the first time we've had an encounter like this at a church!

[Longman]

You walk down some fairly quiet city streets til you get to the church.

The woman is now very clearly following you.

You enter the church. There is no confessional, and there isn't an open back entrance, although there is a large door to the back part of the building. There are two side shrines (quite dark) where Freya could hide out while Bruce approaches the main altar.

There is one human woman praying at the main altar.

[Woe]

Is there a spot near the door that Freya can hide behind, so when (if) the woman opens the door then Freya can pounce upon her? The door in back is closed? With an occupant already, Freya isn't feeling like opening the door. It'd be an odd story spread even more oddly with each telling.

If the woman doesn't appear soonish, we'll move to plan B: Freya will exit the church and head back the way she came, moving at a normal pace for the first few blocks then slow down (window shopping). Bruce will leave three minutes later and hopefully, they'll have the woman between them. With Bruce walking faster than Freya, the noose will tighten. Muhahahaha!!

Or, Freya hides in a potted plant near the church door and pounces upon her. Muhahahahaha!!

Or you'll come up with some other outcome.

[Longman]

Freya attempts to hide in one of the side shrines, where a lesser saint was buried.

Her hide in shadows roll is excellent.

While Kilian is down the front "praying", the woman enters the church and walks down, right past Freya''s location.

Freya can launch a sneak attack from here, or wrestle her, or whatever she wishes to do. The woman has not seen her in the little crypt.

[Woe]

OOC: You remembered she's -20% in urban areas, right?

Freya won't attack her. She'll just walk right up behind her and whisper, "Excuse me -- do you come here often?"

In other words, she'll not attack or threaten the woman. However, she'll definitely be close enough to get an attack of opportunity if the woman decides to run for it. I'm not sure where she'd run though. I presume Bruce picks up on Freya's movement?

[Longman]

Yes, she rolled a 07.

The woman is not surprised and her reflexes seem lightning fast. She spins around and stares straight at you. You can tell that if you want to make that attack of opportunity you better do it right now...it doesn't seem like she is going to be very chatty.